Stop gauge



May 11 ,1926.

" .J. T. DRIGGERS STOP GAUGE v a N. m M fi M W 3 m n T Q n m m w M.- Mu \N. 2. I l 1 e u a Q Patented May 11, 1926 UNITED STATES JOHN '1. DRIGGERS, F TAMPA, FLORIDA.

STOP GAUGE.

Application filed February 24, 1925. Serial No. 11,326.

This invention relates to improvements in stop gauges particularly well adapted for use by carpenters, cabinet makers and other tradesmen to facilitate the cutting of particular lengths of material such as moulding,

rods, and the'like. V

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved stop gauge, of a relatively simple character, which embodies a novel arrangement of supporting stop blocks adaptable'to be used so that particular lengths of material may be out without disturbing prior adjustments.

.A further object of this invention and an important one is the provision of an improved stop gauge, adapted to be used with a conventional type of miter box, and embodying an improved arrangement of stop blocks which may be utilized in connection 20 with the support of the work and in connection with the proper stopping of the work to permit theaccurate length to be cut.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved type of stop block as an article of manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the-several views,

Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved gauge, showing the same in an associated r relation with the miter box. 7

Figure 2 is'an elevation of the improved stop gauge, showing the same in associated relation with a miter box and a piece of work, with the same relation of details as is illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1; V

Figure at is a perspective view of the novel type of stop block embodied in the improved gauge.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 3.

Figures 6 and 7 are cross sectional views taken substantially on their respective lines in Figure 2 of the drawings, these views preferably illustrating the working size of the gauge details.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a type of support adapted to be used in connection with the gauge.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown only a preferred embodiment of the invention, the letter A may generally designate the improved stop gauge, which is adapted to be used in a novel cooperating relation with a conventional type i of miter box B.

The miter box B, as is well known includes a bottom 10, upon the upper surface .11 of which work is adapted to be placed. The miter box furthermore includes side walls 12, and they together with the bottom 10 are provided with an arrangement of slots 15, to permit cutting of pieces of work at the desired angle. The miter box of course opens at the end thereof. 1 7

Referring to the improved stop gauge A, the same preferably includes a supporting board or plate 20, elongated to the proper length. In the preferred construction of the gauge for conventional 'use, the same will vary in length from 6 to 10' 6", although these dimensions may be departed from if desired. The support is of the appropriate length, and at the ends thereof is provided with the supports or standards 21, which are of analogous formation, and which are illustrated in Figures 1 and 8 of the drawings. These supports 21 include the base 22, and arranged at a corner thereof is the upstanding rod supporting portion 23, having a transverse opening 25 therethrough for supporting an end of the stop block support rod 26. The rod support portion 23 is placed so that the outer surface thereof lies flush with anedge 26 of the base 22, and the supports 21 are so placed upon the platform 20 that the said outer surface of the rod support portion 23 and edge 26 of base 22 are flush with the end edges of the platform 20, so that the miter box- B may abut against the flush surfaces and properly position the same accurately, at all times with respect to the stop gauge A. The supports 21 are only placed in the relation defined at the ends of the platform 20, but it is to be noted that the base 22 lies over the upper surface of this platform, and does not project beyond the edges thereof, and it is provided with openings 29 therein for receiving securing elements by means of which the standards or supports 21 may be secured to the platform 20. The rod 26 is of one piece formation, and is of the desired length. It extends longitudinally above the platform 20, in spaced relation thereover, and is'supported Ion will be noted is clamped in a rigid relation 7 with respect -'to thesta'ndards21 by means of set screws 35,- of the thumb operating type, which are adjustable in screw threaded openings 36 in the top of the stand'ards2lya-nd as is illustrated in the drawings.

The stop blocks 0 are of novel construction, including the attaching portion 38,

and the work supporting and stop extension -39'inte'gral therewith. The attaching portion 38 is provided with an opening 40 therein'by' means "of which the stop blocks 0 may be 'ass'enrbledon the support rod 26, The rear edge 41 of the attaching portion 38 is concentrie'with this opening 40, and the stop block extension 39 is preferably provided with a plane botto'nn'surface 43, contiguous with the ar'cua te edge4l. The attaching portion 38 adjacent the juncture o'f'i'the s'amewith'the extension 39 provides a work abutting edge 45, which is at right "angles to the top work supporting edge-46 of the ie'zttension 39. The outer end edge '47 of the extension 39 is rounded off, to facilitate use of the sto block.

"Referring to the assemblage ofthe stop bloek's G on"the rod 26, as above mentioned 'e'a'ch attaching portion '38 is received on the red 26, andathr'rmb operated 'clampscrew member 50 is adjustable in anscrew threaded opening {51' at *each of the stop block attaching portions 38'; the same being radially disposed in the opening 40, and adapted to clamp in setting relation a' gainst the rod 26, 'ii hereby to firmly position'the stopblocks C in the desired relation with respect to the platform 20. The stop blocks C as illustrated in tl1edrawings,at the outer lower corner of the extension 39 niay abut on the platform -20, when the stop block C is in lowered work supporting relation, and in this event the'wor'k supporting surface 46 of theexte'nsion 39 will be horizontal, and the work abutting edge 45 will be "vertical. In

this position of the "stop'blocks, illustrated in Figure 7, the stop block does not perform its function of providinga stop for the work, but provides a support upon which the work is placed so that the said work may abut "against a stop'b lock further along the line which is elevated into stopping position, as is illustrated in Figure '6 of' the drawings.

When the stop block is to be'used assuch,

thesame may be elevated byfirstreleasing the said set screw 50, until the extension 39 is elevated above the platform 20, at the desired angle, as is illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings, and so that a piece of work D which is supported by the miter box and upon the. stop blocks between the elevated stop block and the miter box may be slid into abutment against the side edge of the eXtensi onZ-39,and as is illustrated in Figures 1, 2' and 6 of the drawings. "in 'eonileetion with each stop block '0, a clampingco'llaris provided therefor, which is of ring shaped formation, and adapted to be slipped over the rod 26, at the opposite side of its respective stofp block C with respec'tto the miter box B. Secured in this ring 60 is a set screw 61 of'the thumb operating type, adjustable in a screw threaded opening 62, as is illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings, sothat the clamping collar 60 may be secured in' a rigid adjusted relation on the supporting rod 26. This clamping "collar 60 in connection with its stop block serves two important functions. The first of these functions is that the said clamping collar reinforces the clamped position of each stop block O against movement longitudinally of rod 26. Also, itcan readily be unders'toodthat"the clamping collar 60 ot a particular stop block C being set'on the rod 26,,permits the operator torelease the stop elevated p'o siti'on of the block C and lower the same into abutment with the platform 20, so'that it may be temporarily used tor work supporting purposes, and a stop block further along the line elevated tolperform the stop function,

As/the rod' 26 will be of considerable length, toipreventsag of the same it is pr ferred to provide hovel supporting members 65 therefor, between the ends of the rod26, which include a ring "shaped portion 66 having an opening 67 therethrough for receiving therod 26, and 'aisoinclu'ding an integraldepending foot 69which at its lower edgerests on the-topsurfaceof theiplatform 20, This ring 66 is provided with a set screw 70 of the thumb type, operating in a'screw threaded opening 72, and adapted for claiiiping against'the rod 26'to secure the support device 65 in the desired position to support'the rod "26 intermediate its ends against liability of sag.

Referring to the use of the improved device, themiter. box B abuts against the end edge.v 'of the platform 20, and also abuts against thefiushssurfacesof the supports '21. In thispositidn the miter box is accurately placed with respect to the device A, I

andit i s-to be noted that 'the' top surface 11 of the miter box 10 is horizontally-positioned flush with the horizontal top edges 46' "of the stop blocks C, when they are low ered into their Work supporting relation as lll) til)

till

is illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 7 of the drawings. iVhen the device A has been so assembled with respect to the miter box B, the particular stop block which regulates the length of the piece of work I) is elevated as is illustrated in Figure (3 of the drawings, so that its extension 39 extends in intersecting relation across the plane pro Vided by the flush surface 11 and edges 46,

lVhen the stop block to serve, such, has

been adjusted into its proper position along the rod 26, and elevated above the platform 20, it is clamped in this position, and its clamping collar 60 is set squarely against the same, to prevent any further liability of slipping of the stop block out of adjustment. The piece of work I) is then laid upon the bottom of the miter box, and on the extensions 39 of the lowered blocks C and is moved along until its end edge abuts against the elevated stop block C, as is illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings. The piece of work is thus properly positioned so that the saw may cut into the desired slot of the miter box properly severingthe piece of work I). In connection with the operation as above described, it is to be noted that the stop block G serves an important function in providing an abutment for the longitudinal edge of the work piece 1). Thus the work D is slid along the lowered stop blocks until the same abuts the shoulders 45, and it is properly stabiliaed and held in exact parallel relation with respect to the rod 26, and in exact cooperating relation against the miter box B; the inside surface of one wall 12 of the miter box being flush with the work abutting shoulders of the lowered blocks 0, and as is illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings.

From the foregoing description of this invention it is apparent that a novel type of stop gauge has been provided, which is particularly well adapted to be used in connection with the sawing of lengths of ma terial such as moulding, iron rods, timber, and the like. The same may be used to cut lengths of material without disturbing prior adjustments, and enables a very accurate cutting of the lengths of material incident to the fact that the stop blocks which are lowered between the miter box and the elevated stop blocks serve as abutments to properly align the piece of work with respect to the miter box.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of invention herein shown and de-- scribed, without departing from the spirit of this invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim: 1. .ln a stop gauge the combination of a base, supporting uprights on the base, a rod carried by said uprights, and a plurality of blocks supported in laterally extending relation by said rod, each having a work supporting surface, each of said blocks including means to clamp the same to the rod, said blocks when in lowest position to engage the base having the work supporting surfaces thereof arranged in substantially the same plane.

2. In a stop gauge of the class described a supporting rod, means mounting the rod, a pluralityof stop blocks independently adjustable on the rod, each of said stop blocks including awork supporting edge upwardly thereof, and means for limiting the amplitude of adjustment of the stop blocks so that said work supporting edges may be disposed in the same plane for the purpose of supporting a piece of work, and across which plane any of said stop blocks may be positioned for work limiting purposes.

3', In a stop gauge the combination of a horizontally supported rod, a plurality of stop blocks adjustably clamped to said rod, each of said blocks including an upper work supporting edge and a work abutting edge, arranged transversely to the work sup porting edge, and means to limit the low ered adjustment of said blocks. so as to dispose the work supporting edges in the same plane and the work abutting edges in another plane whereby one of said blocks when elevated from its lowered position may intersect said planes to limit the movement of a piece of work supported by said blocks.

4;. In a stop gauge the combination of a supporting platform, uprights carried by the platform, a supporting rod fixed in said uprights in horizontal relation over said platform, stop blocks pivotally carried by said rod, clamps for fixing the stop blocks in a desired laterally extending relation from the rod, said stop blocks when lowered with their free ends engaging the platform pro viding upper edges horizontally disposed in the same plane and work abutting side edges at the ends of said upper edges disposed in a vertical plane, any of said stop blocks when elevated from their lowered position being adapted to pass across the planes provided by said upper and side edges.

5. In a stop gauge the combination of a rod, standards supporting the rod in fixed relation, a plurality of stop blocks adjustably clamped to said rod, a support, each of said stop blocks when lowered to engage the support providinga horizontal upper edge all of which are disposed in the same plane and a work abutting edge vertically disposed at right angles to the work supporting horizontal edge all of which vertical edges are disposed in a vertical plane, said edges being so arranged on the work blocks that when one of said work blocks is elevated from its lowered position it may intersect said planes and provide an obstruction against which work may abut to limit the movement thereof.

6. In a stop gauge of the class described a supporting base, uprights carried at'the ends or". said base, a rod supported by said uprights horizontally over said base, laterally extending stop blocks pivoted on said rod, clamp means for each of the stop blocks for securing them to the rod, a collar carried. by the rod relatively movable with respect to each of said stop blocks, means "for clamping said collar to the rod, each of said stop blocks when lowered engaging said base to limit the lowest movement thereof, and when thus lowered providing an upper horizontally disposed work supporting edge and an end vertically disposed work engaging edge, said horizontal edges and vertical edges of the stop blocks which are lowered being disposed in the same plane.

7. As an article of manufacture a stop block for stop gauges having an opening therethrough at one end thereof and providing a lateral extensionhaving a plane top edge and aside edge disposed substanti ally at right angles to said plane top edge at an end of said plane top edge adjacent said opening.

8. As an article of manufacture a stop block for stop gauges comprising a. substantially ring shaped attaching portion having an opening therethrough, a set screw carried by said attaching portion adjustable into the opening thereof, and a lateral Work supporting and abutting extension having a plane top'edge and a right angled abutting edge at an end of said top edge adjacent said attaching portion of the stop block.

9. In a stop gauge combination of a sup porting rod, a base upon which the rod is mounted in spaced relation thereabove, a plurality of stop blocks apertured for pivotal mounting at an end of each on said supporting rod, means toclamp each of said stop bloc (S in a rigid relation on said supporting rod, each of said blocks having a lower surface sloping from. adjacent said rod to the outer end thereof and adapted to be diagonally positioned with respect to the plane of the top surface of the base, each of said stop blocks having a top work supporting surface horizontally positioned when the stop blocks rest upon said base as indicated and a side stop edge transversely of the top work supporting edge.

JOHN T. DRIGGERS. 

